1911 grip screw bushing problem

[Baneblade]

I just purchased a used Kimber Custom II 1911 from a friend and it needs a little work. Overall the gun is in good condition but needs refinishing, plunger tube restaked, and two grip screw bushings are stuck with the grip screws. The refinish and plunger tube shouldn't be a problem, but the screws are.

When I detail stripped the gun two of the grip screws (hex key style) ended up being stuck, one on each grip panel. The bushings readily came out of the frame and are not stripped. I bought this as a "learning" gun and need to figure out how to fix it myself. The grips are nice custom grips that I don't want to destroy so I would like to get the grip screws removed from the bushings. I already ordered new bushings so I am not worried about ruining them.

I tried placing the grip in a padded vice and using taped vice grips to hold the bushing in place without damaging it. I used a hex key and tried to loosen the screw... and ruined the bushing. But it didn't loosen. On the undamaged bushing I tried screwing it back into the frame and tightening it down as far as I was comfortable with and then backing the screw out... no go. Still stuck.

So I am stuck with nice grips that have permanent grip screws and bushings. Worst case senario I ditch the grips and put new ones on with new bushings. However, I would like to keep the grips. So this was the long way of asking, how do I remove grip screws that are stuck in the bushings?

I don't really use other forums, so please don't recommend one unless you include a link for specific instructions.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sapper771]

I read an article about this problem not too long ago. It said something about getting a piece of leather to put into the jaws of a pair of pliers and then grip the bushing, then try removing the grip screw. I have used a rubber inner tube band instead of leather, and it worked decently, but the bushing threads were ruined.

I had a allen head grip screw strip on me once or twice while trying to remove it from a stuck bushing. I had to dremel a slit in it so I could use a flat tip screw driver to get it out.

If all that fails, you can just drill out the grip screw/bushings. Use a high speed drill with a good bit. you may want to get a spray bottle of water because they will get hot quick while your drilling them out.
Once drilled out, usually a pair of pliers can break out whats left.

Grip screws and bushing are cheap, but I dont use the allen head ones anymore. Usually when I get a new 1911 , I will remove the the grip bushings, clean the gunk off of them and then reinstall them with some strong loc-tite.

This probably isnt the best methods to go about it, but these are the ways I have handled the issue when I have came across it.

Good luck.

 

[jim147]

Sounds like the screws are cross threaded into the bushings.
You need to drill out the center of the screw and you can remove it from the grips.
Get new bushings and screws.

jim

 

[Baneblade]

Sapper, thanks for the dremel idea, I hadn't thought of that. Sounds like that will by my next attempt.

New bushings are already on their way and I have a new set of screws already. I just want to save the grips.

 

[TCOV]

Sometimes even if the bushings are messed up they will still screw into the frame with some force. If they will just use a small dab of red loc-tite and let it set til next day. Make sure there is no oil in the hole. I have done this several times and this method does the least damage. Usually the screw will come out ok and if you need to change the bushing just heat it a little and use pliers or vice-grips to remove the old one. If they are not too beat up I just leave them in.

 

[NGIB]

Wow. With the price of bushings, I'd never recommend possibly damaging your frame by "forcing" in and Loctiting in damaged bushings...

 

[JimmyN]

When the bushing backs out instead of the screw I've always used the loc-tite method. Just put a little on the bushing threads, screw it down snug and the next day you can take the screw out.

Trying to remove the bushing from the screw by holding it with pliers or a vise never seems to work without messing up the bushing. The problem is that squeezing on the bushing tight enough to keep it from turning also squeezes the bushing on the screw threads making it even harder to turn. The tighter you squeeze the bushing the tighter it grips the screw.

 

[Walkalong]

Often times gripping the bushing with leather to protect them will work. They just were not very tight in the frame. Use rounded jaw pliers and go easy on the grip. After you get them off you can reinstall them in the frame. Just tighten them down a little better, or you can use some low strength Loctite.

You have bushings on the way, so if you bugger them up it's no big deal, but they will usually come off OK.

I have used JimmyN's method as well, but without the Locktite.

 

[rbernie]

The bushings are cheap. If you already have spares at hand or on the way, I'd just grab the back of the bushings with ViceGrips and clamp down REALLY HARD on them. Then back the screws out.

Why worry about padding out the bushings and reducing the likelihood of success in getting the screws out? The bushings are throwaway, in this scenario.

 

[Jim K]

Rbernie is right and that is probably the only way you can get the screws off the grips.

Then, replace any ruined bushings, STAKE them in place (no da**ed glue!) and use slotted grip screws. Allen screws are no good for that kind of work. Torx will work OK but the plain old slotted ones work best.

Jim

 

[Baneblade]

I already ruined one bushing with the vice grips (even with some padding). I'm not worried about that because news ones are already on their way. But the screw is still stuck in the bushing. I am going to try the dremel route tonight.

Jim, I saw the grip screw bushing staking tool that Brownells sells, but couldn't figure out how it works based on their description. I'm sure it would help to actually hold one. Would you recommend that tool? Is there a better one for staking the bushings in place? Why should I avoid using any type of glue?

Thanks

 

[rbernie]

I already ruined one bushing with the vice grips (even with some padding).

Don't use padding. Use the vice grips and RUIN the bushing by clamping the living snot outta them. You want the vice-grip jaws to embed into the threaded area of the bushing (since they're sacrificial at this point).

 

[CWL]

What has been posted about using a vice grip is what I was taught by my pistol smith...

He also added that it may help to heat the screw/bushing with the tip of a soldering iron to heat-up any gunk or loc-tite that may be gluing them together. This worked for me on one occasion.

 

[rcmodel]

It has nothing to do with the threads being too tight.
What actually locks the bushing to the screw is that they are too long for the grips.

The bushings should be filed down until the top of the bushing is just slightly below the screw head countersink in the grips.

What you want is for the screw to tighten down on the grips.
Not gall itself to the top of the bushing.

I would clamp the bushing shoulder in a vice and take the screw out.
Then replace the bushing.

Never, ever try to re-use a damaged bushing.
They are far cheaper then a new frame if you cross thread & ruin the threads in it.

A bushing staking tool is simply a pointy center-punch tip with a bunch of serrations cut around it mounted in a handle.

To use, you stick the handle down the mag well, place the pointy thing in the bushing, then reach a punch through the bushing on the other side and smack it with a hammer.

That flares the inside of the bushing so it won't easily come back out.

I use Blue Lock-Tight AND staking.
And I make sure the bushings are not longer then the grip countersinks for the screws.

rc

 

[Baneblade]

RC, thanks for the explanation on the staking tool.

No amount of grip with the vice grips worked. I just can't get the screws out. I tried drilling out the screw, but the drill bits I have didn't remove any material. They are for metal, not wood, but still did not work.

I used a dremel to grind one down, but the bit is too worn down now... I will stop by home depot and pick up another.

The method of cutting a slot in the back of the bushing will not work because the back of the screw is flush with the bushing. I will need to drill out part of the screw... but my bits don't work on the screw.

I think I will use a cutting wheel to remove most of the bushing and screw. Then I will grind out the rest and TRY not to destroy the grips in the process.

Thanks for all of the help. I won't have time until Saturday, so any additional suggestions are welcome.

 

[Mickstix]

Might also try applying some heat to "just" the bushing, then try to back out the screw.. Use a soldering iron to pinpoint where the heat goes.. Good luck!!

 

[Baneblade]

Got the screws out without destroying the grips. I had to grind one bushing down with a dremel, almost to the point of being flush with the grips. Then I cut a slot for a screwdriver and was able to back it out.

The second one came out with some good vice grips. Yes, I threw away the bushings. After getting them out and examining them... loctite on the grip screws.

Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[HisSoldier]

I've had success using .032" aluminum sheet on both sides of the bushing and clamping them in an accurate vise (parallel and even topped jaws), the aluminum grabs the bushings without ruining them. Ordering new bushings is a last option since saving them only takes a few seconds while ordering new ones takes more time. If it doesn't work then you still have to remove them somehow either way, but if you remove them without damaging them you are way ahead.
After that, as said, clean, loctite, reinstall and you're done. I've never had to replace bushings with new ones, I just don't destroy them getting the screws out of them.